Personality Profile – Know Them Better

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 23

A boy from Eaglehawk has built a successful bloodstock business combining a love of farming and horses and offers a piece of life advice that is so very true.

Ryan Arnel owns and runs Stonehouse Thoroughbreds.

This week we find out more about Ryan Arnel of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds.

1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?

I’m a Bendigo boy, Eaglehawk specifically. It’s where I played my football and cricket. Stonehouse Thoroughbreds colours are the two blues, navy and royal. After my hometown Eaglehawk.

The thoroughbred breeding industry came from intertwining two things. My grandma managed the first TAB in Melbourne, so watching races with her was a big thing together after sports on the weekend as a kid.

Ryan messing about with horses.

My passion for agriculture and farming in general made me decide to bring the two together and work in the breeding industry. Best of both worlds, horses and farming.

2/ What does a workday in the life of Ryan Arnel look like?
 

Depending on the time of year! However, no matter what it always starts early and finishes late. Owning and operating a small business, means I’m very involved and there’s not too many times you will find me away from the farm.

Post selling a yearling at Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale

Ryan at Inglis Premier.

3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?

Subzero for sure. He was my first ever bet with my grandma when he won the Melbourne Cup. I was in Grade 1 and it was my first learning curve into racing.

4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?


Watching Black Caviar win at Royal Ascot from the mounting yard was pretty special. Once in a lifetime kind of thing.

5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?

Godfather of Harlem, Yellowstone (Stan). Drive to Survive (Netflix)

6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?

Actually back to UK to visit friends and fam in June/July this year. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to! I lived in England for four years, so plenty of people to be catching up with again. My sister also lives in Belfast at the moment, suppose I should see her again.

7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?

Put anything in front of me and I’ll eat it. But seafood by the ocean is always a great night out

8/ Name two things on your bucket list?

More travel! I love exploring new places. Any place I haven’t seen yet, I want to go to.

After watching new season of Drive to Survive I wouldn’t mind taking an F1 car for a spin. Car racing is in the family and I reckon I could give it a fair crack.

9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?

I’ve had a lot of excellent mentors to get where I am today through sport and business. But I think one of the best things I remember is something I taught myself. There’s a way of getting anywhere you want to go. You just have to really want to go. Nothing is ever impossible.

10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?

I’m one of those people that when I get lost while driving I turn the music down so I can see better.

When I was really young I wanted to be a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld, but every time I told Dad I’m going to do it he told me I couldn’t because the pilchards were out of season so they couldn’t perform at the moment.

This is the last edition of this series of Personality Profile stories and they will return in the spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tara Talks Racing – This Week We Talk to Bennett Racing
In the wash up of last Saturday’s great day of spring racing there was no winner that meant more to his connections than Group I MVRC Moir Stakes victory Baraqiel, so our obvious guest this week had to be Nathan Bennett.
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
$3.3million Gun Runner Colt Tops Keeneland September Day 1
Keeneland’s 2025 September Yearling Sale began Monday with double-digit gains while posting a record average price of $653,208 and selling 15 horses for $1 million or more led by a colt by Gun Runner for $3.3 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm. The average topped the previous record $611,038 for a single session set during Day 2 in 2024, and the number of seven-
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
Vale, Fastnet Rock
Fastnet Rock was a crowd pleaser when paraded as a living legend at the Coolmore stallion parade last month, but sadly this spring was to be his last. 
Tragic News from Milburn Creek – Vale, Secret Admirer
Spring brings so many foaling stories from our studs each year and while the majority have a happy ending, sometimes things sadly don’t go as planned.
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
G1 Manikato Next for Alabama Lass
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will press on for a tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later this month following her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the Melbourne track last Saturday.